WINCHENDON—Several roads within the Lake Dennison Recreation Area and Otter River State Forest have been closed until further notice by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

According to information provided by DCR, New Boston, River, Swamp and Goodnow roads have been closed due to flooding and will reopen when they are dry enough for vehicles to travel safely.

The Lake Dennison Recreation Area is part of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Birch Hill Dam Flood Control area. According to DCR, the flood control gates at Birch Hill Dam were closed in anticipation of rain earlier this week. Closing the gates can cause water to flood sections of the Otter River and Lake Dennison areas, including nearby roadways. USACE closes the gates to prevent flooding into the Miller’s River, which leads into the Connecticut River.

According to DCR’s statement, staff is in communication with USACE regarding the Birch Hill Dam and how the flooding could affect nearby property.

USACE has since re-opened the flood gates to normal levels, letting out roughly 1,300 cubic feet per second. Water levels have already begun to drop, though they may level off if there is more rainfall.

In July, the beach and campground at Lake Dennison was closed for approximately two weeks due to higher than normal water levels at Birch Hill Dam caused by heavy rainstorms.

Construction of the Birch Hill Dam in Royalston began in 1940 to prevent flooding. It is now the third oldest of the 32 flood control dams in New England. Birch Hill is one of five dams which are part of the Lower Connecticut River Basin. The others include the Barre Falls, Knightville, Littleville and Tully dams.

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@recorder.com.